CHICAGO MEDIA ACTION NEWSLETTER: November 4, 2007
http://www.chicagomediaaction.org
In this month's newsletter...
* Bill Moyers Journal covers Chicago FCC ownership hearing;
Video coverage of hearing now available on Google video
* No PBS war encore | NPR's tortured "news"
* Stop Comcast. Save Net Neutrality. Save the Internet
* Teamsters say Tribune employees, though new owners,
will be given no say, contrary to FCC regs
* Low power FM bill passes Senate committee
(1) MORE CHICAGO FCC HEARING COVERAGE
* Bill Moyers Journal, Friday Nov. 2:
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/11022007/watch.html
* Video coverage of the Chicago FCC Media Ownership Hearing is now available on Google video. This is a joint production of Chicago Access Network Television and Operation PUSH.
FCC Public Hearing on Media Ownership Part 1
FCC Public Hearing on Media Ownership Part 2
FCC Public Hearing on Media Ownership Part 3
FCC Public Hearing on Media Ownership Part 4
* Rev. Jesse Jackson slams FCC chairman Kevin Martin's digital-TV-leasing proposal as "a poor 'consolation' prize for minorities and what he called the chairman's "anti-diversity" agenda.
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6495790.html?rssid=193&
(2) SUGGESTED ACTIONS
* No repeat of PBS's appalling 2002-2003 Iraq coverage re: Iran
View a propaganda excerpt from the October 23rd national "Frontline" broadcast “Showdown with Iran”. And view PBS CEO Paula Kerger claiming that the control of U.S. public TV stations is "in the hands of the community" -- even though not a single trustee seat at any so-called "community" PBS station is publicly elected! Tell PBS CEO Paula Kerger you do not want an encore.
http://www.chicagomediaaction.org//news.php?id=577
* NPR Gives Torture Credibility
Good journalists don't base their stories on highly dubious "facts." And they try to avoid reports that will encourage violence. Unfortunately, a recent segment on NPR's Morning Edition (10/26/07) violated both rules. Please call on NPR's ombud to address the network's irresponsible reporting of torture-based confessions.
http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=3206
* Stop Comcast. Save Net Neutrality. Save the Internet
An investigation by the Associated Press caught Comcast secretly inspecting online communications and crippling users' ability to share information with one another. Once again — following incidents of AT&T censoring Pearl Jam online and Verizon rejecting NARAL’s text messages — we see why these gatekeepers can’t be trusted.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8SCASQ80.htm
These are gross violations of Net Neutrality -- the longstanding principle that ensures a free and open Internet. Free Press has filed a legal complaint demanding that the FCC protect the Internet's free flow of information. Take action:
http://action.freepress.net/campaign/comcastviolates
* Thursday evening November 15th (time TBA), Chicago Media Action will be spotlighted in the inaugural edition of the New World Resource Center's new series "We Are Many: Inquiries into Chicago Activism." The series will aim at showcasing the unique voice of Chicago activism, hoping to develop stronger bonds between our progressive community and Chicago at large. Featuring CMA organizers Scott Sanders and Mitchell Szczepanczyk. For more info:
http://www.newworldresourcecenter.com/index1/events.html
(3) WHAT'S NEW IN MEDIA POLITICS?
* Senators Dorgan and Lott threaten to override FCC chair Kevin Martin's attempt to fast-track media ownership rule changes.
http://dorgan.senate.gov/newsroom/record.cfm?id=286005
* Teamsters Warn Tribune Waivers Could Violate FCC Rules and Policies
Applications by the Tribune Company for transfer of ownership and waivers of the FCC's newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rules are pending before the FCC. The proposed transaction would transfer 100 percent of the company's ownership to an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), but give employees no voice in the governance of the plan or the operating company. Rather, total control of the company would reside with its new chairman, Sam Zell.
http://tinyurl.com/3ydb2b
* DC FCC ownership hearing held w/legal minimum of 5-days public notice
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/?p=142
* Seattle hearing notice likewise only five days
Commissioners Adelstein (D) and Copps (D) “A hearing with only five days notice is no nirvana for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. This smells like mean spirit.”
http://www.stopbigmedia.com/blog/?p=143
* Senate Committee Votes to Expand Low Power FM Radio
http://prometheusradio.org/content/view/573/1/
* Community television weakened by FCC
These FCC rulings will create chaos and uncertainty for our communities and budget gaps that local governments will close by reducing critical local services or raising fees and taxes... It’s unfortunate and unfair that our local residents will pay the price for the blunders of an out-of-touch agency.
http://tinyurl.com/287amx
(4) OTHER NEWS
* Husband and wife media team making a difference
Leila Noelliste - Chicago Defender - 10/15/07
Morgan Carter and his wife, Wanda, are one of the city's few Black media powerhouses. The couple, that celebrates nine years in broadcasting this month, produce World News and Omnibus Round Table; two hard-hitting news talk programs that air on Cable Access Network Television (Channel 19.)
http://www.chicagodefender.com/page/local.cfm?ArticleID=9933
* More work, one role for Arab actors
For most Middle Eastern performers, the Hollywood dilemma is simple: Play the terrorist or don't get paid.
http://tinyurl.com/2qbwt5
(5) FACT OF THE MONTH -- Arabs excluded from Israeli media
While Israeli-Arabs make up 19% of the population, their representation in the media stands at only 1%, a report published by Agenda, The Israeli Center for Strategic Communication, revealed.
http://www.agenda.org.il/english/main/fagenda.htm?meutim2.htm
See also - http://www.agenda.org.il/english/main/Ha-ir_august_2006.doc
(6) WEBSITE OF THE MONTH -- Guardian America
The nonprofit, semi-commercial U.K. based Guardian Media Group has just begun publishing a new offering called "Guardian America" online. Could something like the Guardian model support print newspapers in this country?
http://www.guardian.co.uk/america
Read more about the Guardian Media Group's structure here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guardian_Media_Group
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Trust
*** *** *** *** *** *** ***
This is an email from Chicago Media Action, a Chicago activist
group devoted to media issues.
This newsletter is edited by Scott Sanders and Mitchell Szczepanczyk.
Chicago Media Action, P.O. Box 14140, Chicago IL 60614-0140
Call toll-free: 1-866-260-7198
Web: http://www.chicagomediaaction.org
E-mail: cma@chicagomediaaction.org